The greatest England tries this century: Our experts pick their favourite — now pick yours
Jonny May's try against Ireland on Saturday was immediately hailed as a modern great. Charlie Morgan examines the 97-metre solo in depth here. But was it the greatest England try since the turn of the century? We asked our rugby writers to pick the other contenders.
Chris Ashton v Australia
England 38 Australia 13 — November 13, 2010
There are so many great tries to chose from. Ben Cohen’s against Ireland in 2002 was a classic team score going the length of the field while the break-taking pace and daring of Jonny May’s try against the All Blacks in 2014 still lives in the memory. But for the sheer bravado off turning desperate defence into attack and the cheeky-chappy swagger as he seared through the Australia defence, it has to be Chris Ashton’s try against Australia in 2010, the ultimate ‘Ash Splash’.
Gavin Mairs
Elliot Daly v Wales
Wales 14 England 21 — February 11, 2017
There are prettier tries certainly, but what marks this score out was the circumstances in which it was scored. The game was on the line with England trailing in the 76th minute in a febrile atmosphere at Principality Stadium. The execution had to be perfect and it was. George Ford fielded a high ball, Owen Farrell threw an exceptional pass on the run hitting Elliot Daly in stride who sprinted pass Alex Cuthbert for the game-winning score.
Dan Schofield
Jonny May v New Zealand
England 21 New Zealand 24 — November 8, 2014
Jonny May has always had pace and the ability to beat a man if he got his angles right. In a straight foot race there are few quicker in the world game. What we saw against Ireland in 2020 was first seen here in 2014 when May, then a rookie, got everything right. His vision, his timing and the boldness to go for broke, the young Gloucester wing setting Twickenham alight in only the third minute of an enthralling game, coming on to the ball on a perfect arcing run that took him past Conrad Smith, usually such a resilient defender, and on past Israel Dagg for a wondrous score in the corner.
Mick Cleary
Henry Slade v Ireland
Ireland 20 England 32 — February 2, 2019
What makes a great try? It doesn’t have to be a run the length of the pitch or coast-to-coast passing – it just needs a moment of genius. That is what Henry Slade had as he intercepted a Jonathan Sexton pass in the Irish 22, then beautifully held his composure to hold onto the ball and scurry over the line to score his second of the match. What particularly impressive is the self-belief Slade showed from executing the interception to ensure he wouldn’t knock on. It also symbolised the beginning of the current period of English dominance over the Irish. Slade’s first that day at the Aviva Stadium wasn’t bad either as the centre latched onto a perfectly timed kick by Jonny May.
Kate Rowan
Mike Tindall v Australia
Australia 14 England 25 — June 21, 2003
David Duckham’s effort, following one of the offloads of the century by Bob Taylor, is a narrow second from England’s loss to Wales in 1970, but my selection features the most dazzling rugby from England’s golden era. In the form of their lives, just before their Rugby World Cup zenith, England’s forwards - with the titanic Johnson at the helm - handled like their modern-day equivalents, followed by the cutest sleight of hand from Wilkinson and Greenwood. As the scorer, Tindall gets the headline, but all the work had been done for him.
Charles Richardson
Chris Ashton v New Zealand
England 38 New Zealand 21 — December 1, 2012
It goes down as a try for Ashton - who had enough time and space to celebrate before his famous dive - but really it's Manu Tuilagi's greatest moment on the field, powerfully fending off Dan Carter, breaking out of Richie McCaw's tackle and then disposing with Aaron Smith before feeding Ashton to score.
Ben Coles
